Palmerton Area School District’s human resources director is stepping down at the end of June to take the top post in a Schuylkill County district.

Thomas McLaughlin was named superintendent earlier this month in the Saint Clair Area School District, where he will start July 1 at a salary of $105,000.

McLaughlin came to Palmerton in 2017 after a tenure as superintendent and building principal in the Weatherly Area School District.

“We want to thank Tom for being with us and we wish him well in his future position,” Palmerton Board President Kathy Fallow said last week. “We thank him for being there when the board needed him to step in. He helped us in a difficult time and helped us transition.”

After former Superintendent Scot Engler left the district in May 2019, McLaughlin took the job on an interim basis until October, when the board tapped Dr. Alan Lonoconus as acting superintendent.

“It’s been a pleasure working with Tom,” Lonoconus said. “I know he’ll do a great job for Saint Clair.”

According to the Pennsylvania Department of Education, McLaughlin made $88,868 in 2018-19.

Fallow said the board has yet to decide if it will fill the position or distribute the human resources duties elsewhere.

“The board is always looking at ways to save money,” Lonoconus said. “With that position, we are still in discussion as to how we’ll move forward. Everything is on the table.”